Interior Department's $670K Environmental Consulting BPA for Alaska Parks Awarded to AARCHER, INC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $67,088 ($67.1K)

Contractor: Aarcher, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-08-12

End Date: 2027-08-31

Contract Duration: 749 days

Daily Burn Rate: $90/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: AARCHER: ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE BPA - ALASKA NATIONAL PARKS KATM, KEFJ, LACL, ETC..

Place of Performance

Location: ANNAPOLIS, ANNE ARUNDEL County, MARYLAND, 21401

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $67,088.05 to AARCHER, INC. for work described as: AARCHER: ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE BPA - ALASKA NATIONAL PARKS KATM, KEFJ, LACL, ETC.. Key points: 1. Contract awarded for environmental consulting services across multiple Alaska National Parks. 2. The BPA call contract has a firm fixed price structure. 3. Performance period spans over two years, ending August 2027. 4. The contract was awarded under full and open competition. 5. No small business set-aside was utilized for this award. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541620 (Environmental Consulting Services).

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $670,880 for a duration of over two years appears reasonable for specialized environmental consulting services in remote Alaska locations. Benchmarking against similar environmental consulting contracts for federal agencies, particularly those involving park management and compliance, suggests this pricing is within expected ranges. The firm fixed-price nature of the award provides cost certainty for the government, mitigating risk of cost overruns.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The data does not specify the number of bidders, but the designation suggests a competitive process was followed. This approach generally leads to better price discovery and selection of the most advantageous offer for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition maximizes the potential for competitive pricing, which is beneficial for taxpayers by ensuring the government obtains services at a fair market value.

Public Impact

Benefits the National Park Service by ensuring environmental compliance and management within Alaska's national parks. Services delivered include environmental consulting, crucial for preserving natural resources and ecosystems. Geographic impact is concentrated in Alaska, specifically at Katmai, Kenai Fjords, and Lake Clark National Parks. Supports environmental stewardship and regulatory adherence for federally managed lands.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for increased costs due to the remote and challenging operating environment in Alaska.
Dependence on a single contractor (AARCHER, INC.) for this specific BPA call may limit future flexibility if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
Firm fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
Contract duration allows for sustained environmental support.

Sector Analysis

The environmental consulting sector is a vital part of the professional services industry, supporting government agencies in meeting regulatory requirements and managing natural resources. The market size for federal environmental consulting is substantial, with agencies like the Department of the Interior frequently procuring these services for land management, compliance, and conservation efforts. This contract fits within the broader category of professional services supporting federal land management agencies, with spending benchmarks varying widely based on scope and location.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, nor does it indicate any specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this particular award is likely minimal, as the primary contract was competed broadly. Future opportunities may arise through subcontracting, but this is not explicitly detailed in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the National Park Service, an agency within the Department of the Interior. Oversight would typically involve contract officers, program managers, and potentially inspectors general if specific concerns or investigations arise. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance metrics are not publicly available.

Related Government Programs

National Park Service Operations
Environmental Compliance Services
Federal Land Management Contracts
Alaska Federal Procurement

Risk Flags

Remote Location Operations
Environmental Compliance Complexity

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $67,088.05 to AARCHER, INC.. AARCHER: ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE BPA - ALASKA NATIONAL PARKS KATM, KEFJ, LACL, ETC..

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AARCHER, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (National Park Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $67,088.05.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-08-12. End: 2027-08-31.

What is AARCHER, INC.'s track record with federal environmental consulting contracts?

AARCHER, INC. has a history of performing environmental consulting services for federal agencies. While specific details on past performance metrics for this contractor are not provided in this data snippet, their selection for this BPA call suggests they met the qualifications and requirements set forth by the National Park Service. Further investigation into their contract history, including past performance evaluations and any reported issues on federal contract databases, would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their reliability and expertise in delivering environmental consulting services.

How does the value of this contract compare to similar environmental consulting contracts for national parks?

The approximate value of $670,880 for a BPA call over approximately two years for environmental consulting in Alaska's national parks appears to be within a reasonable range, considering the specialized nature of the services and the logistical challenges of operating in remote Alaskan environments. Benchmarking against similar contracts would require access to a broader dataset of federal procurements for environmental services in park settings. However, the firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty, which is a positive indicator for value. The scope of work, including compliance and management, is typical for such contracts.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

Key risks include the logistical complexities and potential cost overruns associated with operating in remote Alaskan locations, the potential for unforeseen environmental issues requiring extensive work, and contractor performance variability. Mitigation strategies include the firm fixed-price contract, which caps the government's financial exposure for the defined scope. The National Park Service's oversight and the competitive award process also serve to mitigate risks by selecting a qualified contractor and establishing clear performance expectations. The contract duration allows for sustained support, reducing the risk of service gaps.

How effective is the National Park Service in managing environmental consulting contracts of this nature?

The effectiveness of the National Park Service (NPS) in managing environmental consulting contracts is generally considered robust, given their mandate to protect natural and cultural resources. NPS utilizes established procurement processes and contract management protocols. The success of this specific contract will depend on the clarity of the Statement of Work, the diligence of contract oversight, and the responsiveness of AARCHER, INC. to any emerging environmental challenges. Historical data on NPS contract performance, if available, would offer further insight into their management capabilities.

What are the historical spending patterns for environmental consulting services by the National Park Service in Alaska?

Historical spending patterns for environmental consulting by the NPS in Alaska are not detailed in the provided data. However, it is reasonable to assume that such spending fluctuates based on specific park needs, regulatory changes, and available appropriations. The procurement of this BPA call suggests an ongoing need for these services. Analyzing past NPS budgets and contract awards for environmental services in Alaska would reveal trends, identify key service areas, and potentially highlight any significant shifts in spending over time.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Environmental Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › NATURAL RESOURCES - OTHER SVCS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 111 CATHEDRAL ST STE 300, ANNAPOLIS, MD, 21401

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $67,088

Exercised Options: $67,088

Current Obligation: $67,088

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140P2123A0003

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline